Review: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe for PS3

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MKVDCU is impressive where it matters, gameplay and graphics.

Despite reticence after hearing about this pairing considering the waning quality of the Mortal Kombat franchise, Midway has converted my skepticism. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe provides a very solid fighting game that is good where it counts. It’s best enjoyed with some friends on the couch talking trash and provides great appeal, particularly for fans for the respective franchises. The matchup may be a little strange, but we finally get a chance to play some of the greatest comic characters of all time with a exceptional graphics engine and solid gameplay.

The Unreal engine is looking gorgeous in this release, giving a very suitable groundwork for the action with clean and detailed environments. The action moves fast, never gives a sense of sluggishness and responds well to controls. This is obviously the most crucial factor in a fighting game, and MKCDCU is very natural and fluid in this department. This game has the best controls and timing in the series since the classic Mortal Kombat 2.

Rage gives a short burst of extra damage, as well as a useful counter to interrupt a combo.

In terms of character models and moves, the DC lineup has a lot of treats for fans. There are, of course, little bits of fan-service thrown in here and there such a level set in the mountains where Bruce Wayne trained in Batman Begins. More importantly, the models on the major characters are amazing. Batman is everything one would want him to be in a fighting game, fast and powerful and sporting a more classic look that is represented well. Shazam is another standout with a very fitting stature and stride and beautiful lightning bolt effects. Green Lantern and Superman are also great, in fact there are very few misses on the DC side although Catwoman and Woman Woman just don’t look quite right.

Some MK characters do very well here as well, as many characters are back to their classic form with their moves and sounds intact from Mortal Kombat 2 . This will be an incredibly nostalgic experience for older gamers, just hearing Liu Kang’s bicycle kick scream alone brought a smile to my face. That is not to say there aren’t new moves here, because each character has some new tricks to learn but all the classic stuff is here. Bringing back the fundamentals of the best game in franchise history was a brilliant move, framing that classic gameplay with modern graphics makes for a very good formula.

Character models on the DC side are often amazing.

Environmental interaction provides the only new twist from previous games in the series, and ranges in variety from tackling an opponent off of a building (and fighting in midair before imact) to smashing them through a series of walls depending on the immediate surroundings. Its far better mechanic than the usual environmental traps typical for the series and gives further emphasis to the “beat down” sense the game gives the player at all times.

The poor quality of the campaign narrative and dialogue deserves note. Yes it’s a fighting game and all that really matters is how it looks, plays, and the depth of the move sets but this product has the DC logo on it which brings raised expectations on the storytelling. DC has produced so many memorable tales over the years and the effort here is halfhearted and disappointing. Ironically, it is still by far the best single player story ever in an Mortal Kombat game, and above average in terms of the genre as a whole but keep in mind that is possibly the slightest compliment ever given.

Beloved locations are also well represented in the game.

{ad}Aside from the interesting new environmental interactions this release boils the series back down to the basics between the gameplay and the fatalities in a refreshing reset for the series. Multiplayer is what makes it worth the money and provides the perfect game to play with friends locally. It is great, not to mention completely unexpected, to see this kind of quality emerge from the Mortal Kombat franchise once again. Any fan of comics or fighting games would be well served to pick up this title despite any reservations.

Speak Your Mind

Typo: (and fighting in midair before imact) should be (and fighting in midair before impact)

A Brit

I don’t get this, why is Superman in this… surely he just goes… You are dead and they all die? I’m not a comic book reader but surely this makes little sense.

Kenneth England

Yeah, that does take a bit of a leap of faith but there’s always kryptonite to balance Superman down to reasonable levels when DC needs to make a fight compelling.

australian

the loading screens and movies are poor quality and mortal kombat advertised captain marvel to be called shazam…

despite that supermans other weekness is magic so that levels him down.

Krypsaynian

Honestly, I was very impressed with the game. I first thought MK reducing fatalities and blood, isnt really a MK game. But it worked out just fine. Story line is good, but lacks a bit. Graphics are great, control for the 360 needs work though. Over all I give this game a A minus.
FYI. Kryptonite and Magic hurt superman, and the MK universe is full of magic, so it works out

Kenneth England

Right, forgot about the magic part. I do believe the awful story numbed my brain to the point where I lost massive chunks of “dialogue”. Anyway, yeah, this game has flaws, but it has what alot of games struggle to find: fun.

Gray -V

I bought the game last night its cool they just should have added more fighters the hulk they could have have the x-men too fuck it all superheros and killer fighters